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 Jon O'Bir has been a solid name in the trance scene for 6 years now and has many accolades and achievements under his belt including a Godskitchen residency, shows on Radio 1, his own label, productions and now his debut artist album. i:Vibes sat down with Jon for a chat and here's what he had to say to us...
Jon O’Bir Releases ‘From Within’ On Vandit
Jon O’Bir has been involved with the Trance scene since 2002 and for years has been known as a star in the making. But in 2008 O’Bir finally made the breakthrough, releasing his debut album ‘From Within’ on Paul van Dyk’s well known label Vandit Records. Although he didn’t really go the usual route of an artist making tracks before getting known as a DJ, O’Bir has made quite a name for himself first as a DJ and now as a very well respected producer. In 2002 his life quickly changed when he won a DJ competition for Passion and M8 magazine beating out 300 other aspiring DJs. Soon after, he was offered a residency in the legendary Godskitchen club. His name quickly spread with his appearances on the Essential selection, Fergie’s Radio 1 and a guest mix on Armin van Buuren’s show ‘A State Of trance’. Then in 2005, he was able to mix the famous Essential Mix and was granted a residency. Soon after, he got his own radio show, ‘Ways & Means’, which has been a hit ever since. During his residency at Godskitchen, he quickly gained respect from other DJs as well as fans for his ability to fascinate the crowd. With his flawless warmup sets for big jocks like Paul van Dyk and Tiesto as well as making dance floors explode at peak time, O’Bir kept crowds on their toes even after the top billing DJs had played. Soon he started to produce music and here he also made a name quickly. His first releases were collaborations with Gareth Emery and his favourite artist Airwave, which produced the stellar classics ‘Escapade’, ‘Bouncebackability’, ‘No Way Back’ and ‘Promise I Made’. And with this experience under his belt, he made his first solo tracks ‘Effectual’ and ‘Ascendancy’. With this reputation and talent, he also began to remix known artists such as Paul van Dyk, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Jose Amnesia and Mr Sam. And if that wasn't enough, he recently released his debut album ‘From Within’ on the legendary label Vandit Records. His first release off the album is ‘Ways & Means’, which is a classic stomping track with a beautiful break that makes 2008 seem like the glory days of 2002 again. He has a bright future ahead of him and i:Vibes recently caught up with the UK lad to have a chat...
i:Vibes: Hi Jon, how are you? Thanks for chatting to i:Vibes. Ok, the UK summer can be depressing but I guess you can get through all of that especially since you have released your debut album ‘From Within’ on one of the leading trance labels in the world: Vandit Records. How do you feel and did somebody need to pinch you to tell you this was all not a dream?
Jon O'Bir: Hi, I’m very well thanks, a pleasure to do the interview with i:Vibes. Yeah it really is a dream come true for me, I’ve been inspired by Vandit since I first “discovered” trance and it’s an honour to be one of their artists. I’m still telling people to pinch me, that is for sure!
i:Vibes: You're from Nottingham. What was your childhood like?
Jon O'Bir: Yes, I was born in Nottingham and I’ve lived here all my life. My childhood was a good one from what I remember. We moved house only the once in between primary school and secondary school, so I always felt settled in my schooling years. We were lucky enough to do a lot of travelling as kids, our parents treated us to some amazing holidays during the school holidays, so I think that’s one of the reasons I absolutely love to travel. My parents were also very supportive with my music, they never seemed to bother me when the volume was loud! So I was very lucky to have such great support from my family too.
i:Vibes: Who were your early musical inspirations and why?
Jon O'Bir: My early musical inspirations were the dance DJs on BBC Radio 1. It was only into my last years of secondary school that I really noticed dance music, thanks mainly to Radio 1. Judge Jules, Pete Tong and Dave Pearce were the shows I listened to religiously! Then along came Paul van Dyk’s ‘The Politics of Dancing’ CD. This CD inspired me to purchase a set of decks and from then on things seemed to go so fast. To have worked alongside Radio 1 and now Paul in my short career is something only dreams are made of.
i:Vibes: What was the first record/CD you bought?
Jon O'Bir: The first 12” record I bought for my new deck was actually Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400. Everyone liked that record at some point surely?! I bought it on one of our family trips to the USA. From then on I was addicted to buying the black stuff. Someday I would love to find out the exact figure I have spent on vinyl!
i:Vibes: What was the deciding moment, where you knew that you wanted to be a DJ?
Jon O'Bir: It had to be listening over and over to Paul’s 'TPOD' CD. I still play it sometimes even now. I don’t know how it still plays because it’s scratched to bits! I would play the CD and then search for the vinyl release of each track in record stores. I felt so unbelievably happy each time I found a record from TPOD! I think I must have at least 80% of the tracks off that album!
i:Vibes: What kind of schooling did you get and what could you do for a living later in life if music was not your job?
Jon O'Bir: I had a settled school life. My house was just walking distance from my school and I always felt at home there. To be honest, I didn’t really work hard at school, I spent more time chatting with mates and never really was one to listen to the teachers! There was a spell in the early years of secondary school as well where I was a bit of a naughty bugger. I can remember bringing a few detentions home to mum, white for normal detention, blue for ‘Head’ detention. Fuck knows what that meant, but I was a nervous wreck when handing over to my parents! I did level off to become a good kid though, but still never listened to the teachers. I left school and put everything into my music, I avoided college and uni, which I would have loved to have gone to, hey there’s still time! But I believe if I didn’t throw everything at my music, I would not be where I am today.
i:Vibes: In 2002, you won a DJ contest at Passion and for M8 magazine. Before you started the contest, did you really think you could win the competition? What do you think made the biggest difference that you were able to win?
Jon O'Bir: No, I wasn’t really confident in my ability at that point. I can remember thinking half way through my 1st round set that I had gone into this way to early. I played first, then I heard the other guys and though there was no way I was going to reach the semi finals. I almost broke down when Dan from Passion called up and said I was through to the finals! I can remember this competition as clear as day. I was in the final with John Wright who had brought down a bus full of friends from Liverpool and I was there with only a couple of mates. Again, I was on first and I was really pleased after because I though I had done a good job! I listened to John and again I thought, I’m not going to win this! But Dan called me up the following week and said, “Jon, I’m sorry but… you’re going to have to warm up for Ferry Corsten”. I’d never won any competition other than the 100m sprint on sports days! I can remember bawling my eyes out with delight, and that’s where it all started. To be honest, I’m not sure what made them pick me as the winner, that’s something I must ask those guys!
i:Vibes: You have played all over the world and in the best known clubs and done the Essential mix for Radio 1. What has been the most difficult thing you had to learn to gain success as a DJ?
Jon O'Bir: I was very shy when I was younger and with everything happening so fast, the competition win, the Godskitchen residency and Radio 1 appearances I had to learn fast to be a confident person. I can remember the Godskitchen promoter James Algate always having a go at me for not using the phone enough, he was right! It was just my shyness holding me back would you believe? Now I can probably out talk anyone and get told to get off the phone on regular occasions!
i:Vibes: What is the most important thing for you as a DJ?
Jon O'Bir: I’d have to say my ears would probably be the most important thing to me as a DJ. I never wear my ear plugs as often as I should, this is something I will need to do if I want to keep going for a few more years yet!
i:Vibes: What was the most gratifying experience that you have had somewhere in the world as a DJ?
Jon O'Bir: It would have to be playing in New York City on New Years Eve 2005. Playing the midnight set before Paul van Dyk on my 21st birthday in front of 5,000 people. I played Sasha – Xpander to bring in 2005 and I have videos of this moment on my computer, if I play it back I always get the goose bumps!
i:Vibes: If I remember correctly at New Years Eve 2004-2005, you opened up for Paul van Dyk in New York. I remember a friend telling me yes Jon O’Bir is a great DJ. This was nearly four years ago. You had this reputation of being a great DJ, but still you hadn’t really received the credit you should have until now with the Vandit album. Why do you think it took so long for you to make your breakthrough?
Jon O'Bir: First of all it’s very hard to break into this scene as there are so many talented artists out there! Another thing was I did not start production until 2 years into my career. I also think to build up the reputation you need a few productions under your belt and good productions at that. Hopefully there will be a couple from the album that will prick people’s ears up.
i:Vibes: You are a much respected producer as well now too. What were the most important lessons Jon O’Bir the DJ taught Jon O’Bir the producer?
Jon O'Bir: Just to basically make the music that I love and that I would play in my DJ sets. A number of people were telling me, “Oh, you’ve got to move with the times, make electro” (or whatever music was in the chart at the time). Balls to that! There’s no point in making something that you’re not going to play or even like. Produce what you know and love, for me that’s trance.
i:Vibes: You have produced some real nice gems with Gareth Emery and Airwave. How important where these guys in your early development as a producer?
Jon O'Bir: It was an absolute pleasure to work with both Gareth and Laurent! These 2 are very talented and deserve all the praise that comes their way. I picked up some very useful tips from both of them, especially Gareth as he was virtually at the same stage as me in the scene. Laurent obviously has been in it for a number of years before me and I could tell, when we were making ‘The Promise I Made’ I could not follow what he was doing on Logic. The guy is so fast it gave me a headache trying to keep track!
i:Vibes: Paul van Dyk has supported you for years. How excited were you when you were told you could produce your debut album for Vandit?
Jon O'Bir: I was obviously over the moon when I heard Paul liked it so much he wanted to sign the whole album! To hear such great comments coming from the man that first introduced me to this special music, words can not describe!
i:Vibes: Most people know Paul van Dyk as the DJ/producer, but very few actually get close to him and have a special relationship with him. You know him well. What kind of man is he really and what have you learned from him through the years?
Jon O'Bir: To be honest, I didn’t know Paul that well before the signing of the album, just “hi, how are you” at numerous gigs like so many DJ’s are. Now since the signing I’ve played at quite a few events with him to promote my album and it’s great to talk to the main man a bit more in detail! I know he has a love for his pet dogs, very much like me. He’s always got time to hear what I have to say and he’s also a very funny guy. I’m looking forward to finding out stories from his years in the scene at future events, I can learn a hell of a lot from him that way.
i:Vibes: You released ‘From Within’ on July 11. What is the concept behind this artist album and did you have 100% freedom making this album or were there restrictions on what direction you should go from Vandit?
Jon O'Bir: The album is very much built like one of my DJ sets. I’ve always enjoyed DJing more when I’ve had chance to build ‘a journey’ as some would call it. My engineer Rob actually put the idea to me and I jumped at it. It was a lot of fun producing this album and I’m really pleased with how my first artist album has turned out. We had no restrictions at all, as we had planned to release it on our label Conspiracy, but when Vandit showed interest, there was only one choice!
i:Vibes: How happy are you with the album and how has the feedback been so far?
Jon O'Bir: Yeah I’m really happy with it. Maybe there are a few sounds that would sound nicer if updated. I’m thinking this only because it was a few months after finishing the album until it was released. Feedback has been good! I’m sure this will surprise people who have only heard my DJ sets and no productions (I’ve only had 2 solo tracks out before ‘Ways & Means’ that were pretty low key as well). Its early days yet, so I’m looking forward to receiving more feedback from the public, hopefully they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!
i:Vibes: ‘Ways & Means’ is an incredible track with a beautiful break and melody. For me it brings back memories of 2002, where tracks were made with a lot of feeling for melody. Did you want to bring back this feeling from then, or did that not really cross your mind?
Jon O'Bir: There was a part of me that wanted to bring back some familiar sounds, but mainly it’s the fact that I love melody! I think every track I’ve played since I first bought decks has had melody in it. I’m really proud of Ways & Means and even prouder the fact that Paul remixed it!
i:Vibes: Was ‘Ways & Means’ a difficult track to produce or did you crank it out quickly? What was the most difficult aspect in this track that you had to get perfect?
Jon O'Bir: It was pretty quick actually. The bulk of the track was put down inside 24 hours and it was possibly the next day when it was mastered and complete. The most difficult aspect of creating it was the bass. We spent a good amount of time trying to give it a very “warm” sound and that was time well spent, I don’t think it could be any warmer!?
i:Vibes: Do you have a candidate for a follow up single to ‘Ways & Means’?
Jon O'Bir: The follow up single to Ways & Means will be ‘Do It All Again’ featuring the vocals from the very talented Emi. This track is taken from the album and it will be released on Vandit of course with remixes from 2 of my favourite acts, Activa and Duderstadt. I can’t give you a release date as yet, but it will be out before the end of the year.
i:Vibes: The melodic sound has not been as present in the last years as progressive beats became more and more popular. Could one classify you as a melodic lover not ever really wanting to ditch this style?
Jon O'Bir: Like I mentioned earlier, I have adored the melodic sound and I can’t see me ever falling out with it. There are some great artists out there that still include great melodic sounds in their productions, even if they are more ‘progressive’ sounding tracks. Guys like Kyau & Albert, Duderstadt, Super8 & Tab and Cosmic Gate have got great sounds going on, still packed full of melody!
i:Vibes: What other productions and surprises can we await from you in 2008?
Jon O'Bir: Now that the album is released, I’ve completed a hand full of remixes that I’m very proud of. Two that have just been released are my remix of Inertia out on Discover and a remix on one of my labels tracks by Captured Sun that is rising up the beatport chart as I type. Coming up are 2 remixes for Vandit. First up will be my remix of PvD ‘Castaway’ which will be included in a double vinyl package and secondly, I’ve remixed the massive new ‘No More Alone’ by Giuseppe Ottaviani. It’s been a very exciting time in the studio since the album signing! Rob and I will also be working on an Aira Force album which should be much fun as well.
i:Vibes: Do you have a certain method or way how you go about producing a track in the studio or do you just go in and start playing with a sound or melody?
Jon O'Bir: It does vary. Sometimes we sit down and lay down the percussion and as if by magic a killer little riff can be heard whizzing around our heads and then sometimes a killer riff comes to your head when you wake up or another track will inspire me and we pick bits off that and come up with something new and fresh. It’s a good thing to have a number of methods going off before we go to make a track as if it was the same method all the time, ideas might just dry up on us.
i:Vibes: You also run Conspiracy Recordings with your mate Rob Stevenson. What is your personal goal and philosophy behind the label and what new artist do you see making the breakthrough for your label?
Jon O'Bir: We were both receiving no end of productions for our DJ sets and decided to start up Conspiracy to give a helping hand to talented new producers who wanted to push their tracks out there. Our goal is still to help these talented producers who the big guys may miss out on and give them a stepping stone into this scene. We have a number of guys I would love to mention including ‘Underwater’ from Poland, this guy has been around for a couple of years, but he’s really starting to send over some high quality tracks! Also Sequentia have a great sound going. Watch out for these guys and many more Conspiracy gems to come!
i:Vibes: What are your current five favourite tracks?
Jon O'Bir: 1: Giuseppe Ottaviani – No More Alone (Jon O’Bir Remix)
2: Mirco de Govia – Evolution Part 2 (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
3: Derelict – Voice of Hope (Original Mix)
4: Anton Firtich – Rain over the Ocean (Original Mix)
5: Jon O’Bir – I Need You (Original Mix)
i:Vibes: What are your five all time favourite tracks?
Jon O'Bir: 1: Sasha – Xpander
2: Fire & Ice – Lost Emotions
3: Chicane – No Ordinary Morning
4: Ralphie B – Massive
5: Way out West – Mindcircus
i:Vibes: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Jon O'Bir: I would obviously love to still be making the music I love and then playing this music to crowds all over the world. It’s great to see thriving scenes in countries in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. This scene is far from dead world wide and I believe I’ll still be dancing away behind the DJ booths of venues across the world in 5 years time.
i:Vibes: What are your hobbies?
Jon O'Bir: The music does take up virtually all my spare time, and especially with this album just being released, it seems like its non-stop, which I really do like! Though in the spare time I find, I like to keep fit, going to the gym and playing football on a Monday night if I’ve not drank to much on the Saturday or just returned from the other side of the world! I also love watching sports, football and cricket being my favourites! I’m starting to be handy in the kitchen as well after being inspired by Ferry’s cooking skills some years ago!
i:Vibes: Thank you Jon for this interview!
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